KdF-Wagen displayed at German Motor Show

16-Feb-39

Introduction:

The KdF-Wagen, still popularly referred to as the "Volkswagen," is exhibited at the German Motor Show in Berlin. To commemorate the occasion, the 15 October is declared the official date on which production starts, even though those responsible must have known that this date is totally impracticable. The start date is announced as a means of calming many anxious savers and ensuring that the source of zero-interest capital obtained at the expense of many German citizens does not cease. In Spring 1939 the first 1,000 employees are recruited with the intention of increasing the labour force to 3,000 over the course of the year who would assemble 10,000 cars between August and December.